Brake



, May22 ,1945. J SNEED( 2,376,828

BRAKE Filed Aug 15, 1941 3 SheeiS-Sheet l' FIG 'lJov-m Sneep l BY ATTORNEYS May 22, 1945. J. SNEED 2,376,828

BRAKE Filed Aug. 15, 194]. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS J. SNEED May V22, 1945;

BRAKE Filed Aug. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A A INVENTOR., JOHN. SNEED May22', u

. umrui) sTA'rEs A`,livr-tuut" orifice John Sneed, Mich. application August 15, 1941.' serial No. 401,041

(ci. iss-12) 21 Claims.

The'invention relates to brakes 4and refers more particularly to brakes o1' the momentum type. The invention has for an object to provide an improved construction of brake comprising pilot and main brake mechanisms constructed and arranged to produce an eilective brake. r The invention has for another object to fo the main brake mechanism in such a manner that the heat dissipating brake' members `are rotatable and externally exposed directly to the ,air to facilitate dissipation of the generated heat.

The invention has for another object to produce a braking system having the well-known characteristic of self-energization in which the selfenergizng factors are not changed through defer mation by braking stresses during application of the brake;

The main brake mechanism I comprises the brake member '3 held from rotation and the outboard and inboard brake members 4 and 5, respcctively, normally rotatable one with and at I the same rate as the. other. The brake member 3 comprises vthe metal disc 6 and the friction linf ings I secured to opposite sides of thev disc near plate il which is flxedly secured to either a hous ving of a rear axle or a steering knuckle of a front `The invention has for another object to provv.1y the result of mechanical linkage and not of defamation of'brakeparts.

The invention has for another object to produce a brake having a ilexible diaphragm operated brake mechanism in which the diaphragm is remotely positioned from the main brake mechanism s'o that the diaphragm is subject to only a very'small portion of the heat generated bythe main brake mechanism.

The invention has for another object to produce a main brake mechanism that may be assembled as part of a wheel drum structure and may remain assembled vwhen the wheel is removed.

The invention has for a further object -to form the pilot brake mechanism that it may be readily applied at relatively low pressure.

With these as well as other objects in view, the invention resides'in the novel features of construction and combinations and arrangement of `lilgures 2, 3,'4, 5, 6, 'I and 8 are cross sections n the lines 2-A-2, 3 3, I-I. l-, l-l, I-l and .-8, respectively, Qi Figure 1 Figure 9 is a view similar .to ure 2 showing a modication.

a portion of Figy The brake, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises the main brake mechanism I and the pilot` brake mechanism 2 for applyingl the main brake mechanism. In the present instance, the brake is shown asy applied to an automobile wheel.

formed of springsteel and has radially inwardly axle. As shown, vthe disc has the openings il at its radially inner edge for receiving the projec-- tions I 0 on the diametrically opposite arcuate portions il of the axial flange I2 .formed on the carrier plate il. The brake members Il and 5 are in the nature oidiscs and are formed Ithroughout of metal to have good heat conducting properties. The brake members t and 5 are externally exposed lto the air to more rapidly dissipate the heat generated in applying the main brake mechanism,I

The outboard brake member d has a radial bolting-on portion i3 which is oiiset axially in an outboard direction relative to .the radial disc portion It for engaging the non-rotatable brake member 3. The bolting-on portion is located radially inwardly of the disc portion and is iixedly secured to the fixed ange- I5 of the hub It by the bolts il which are engaged by the nuts i8 for securing the wheely i9 to the hub. TheV inboard brake member `5 is carried by the outboard brake member S by means of the series of angularly spaced channel-shaped links- 20- and the channel-shaped annulus 2 I The links are preferably formed of spring steel and are equally spaced about the radially outer edges of the disc portions I4 and 22 of the I outboard and inboard brake members, respectively.` The links extend through axial notches 23 in the radially outer edges of the outboard and inboard-brake members and have radially inturned end portions 24 forming abutments for engaging oppositely' facing shoulders at the radially outer edges of the outboard and inboard brake members.' More particularly, the Vend portions have their end parts engageable with the shoulders on 'the brake members,l the end parts being-at opposite sides of the longitudinal median planes of the links. TheV links are formed intermediate their end ,portions with the radially outwardly bowed portions 25, which engage the base of the channel-shaped annulus 2| encircling thebrake members 4 and 5. The'annulus 2I is extending end portions 2B at its edges for engaging annular shoulders formed on the outboard and inboard brake members 4 and 5, respectively, and opposed to the annular shoulders engaged by the inturned end portions of the links. The

annulus' 2l ispreferably formed of two semicir cular parts flxedly secured together at their' ends, the construction being such that the annulus may be readily assembled with the brake members.'

i With thisarrangement thel links 20 and the annulus 2i support the inboard b rake member E upon the outboard brake member 4. Also, the annulus resiliently urges the inboard brake memi ber E axially away from the outboard brake memv ber d. When the brake is in normal or oil position, the links' extend axially and the disc. portions is and'22 ofthe outboard and inboard brake members are spaced from the adjacent lin- `ings 'l of the brake member 3, the latter being axially movable onthe projections i of the carrier plate. The-inboard brake member also is rotated with and at the saine rate as the outboard brake member. The ring is formed with a cam portion 23 for each inturned end portion and with the rack 2t, the teeth of which are engageable with a suitable tool, such as a special wrench or Spanner, insertable through a hole radially inside the rack for adjusting the rack. The clamp `30 secures the ring in its adjusted position. The` ring is adapted to be moved circumierentially `and its cam portions are adapted to operate si- Vmultaneously upon the associated inturned end portions of the actuating links. By causing the inboard brake member ii to rotate at ay different rate than the outboard brake -member 4, as by retarding the inboard brake .memben the actuating links willl swing from their normal axial positions, thereby moving the finboard brake member axially in an outboard direction against the intermediate brake member :and then moving the latter axially in an outboard `direction against the outboard brake member, at which time the outboard and inboard brake memdrum, as shown, is intgral with the inseam brake member 6 Vand has an internal friction face which lsengageable by the brake friction means orelement. The brake friction means or element comprises the two channel-shaped shoes 33 having the linings 34 secured to their Webs. The channels of the shoes open radially inwardly and the side anges of the channels extendedjacent tothe arcuate portions Il of the axial ange l2 of the carrier plate and cooperate therewith to form arcuate spaces for receiving the radially inside each arcuate portion ii of the expansible diaphragm 35 which extends vcircumferentially inside the webs of the shoes and which upon expansion is adapted to force the linings 3d against the internal friction face of the drum. The shoes are alike and each is anchored at points equidistant from its ends so that it operates in the same manner for either direction of rotation of the drum. In detail, 38- is a channelfshaped anchor opening radially outwardly with its base axial flange i2 and its side flanges extendingy l through slots in the arcuate portions Ii and also in the axail flanges 3l at the radially inner edges of the side flanges of the associated shoe.. With this arrangement, the ends of the side Iflanges of each anchor are loosely engageable with and are adapted to abut shoulders formed at the ends of slots in the associated arcuate portion il and axial anges 3l.

For reti-acting each shoe, there is thel spring 38 extending chordwise and fulcrumed at its middle on the base oi the adjacent anchor t?. The spring has at its ends the hooks 39 which are located at opposite sides of the side anges of the associated shoe and extend through slots in l the adjacent arcuate portion I i and also through slots in the axial anges 3l and are hooked over the latter. 'For normally retaining each anchor in its radially inward position, there is the spring d@ which is located between an arcuate portion il `and the web of the anchor. The spring de is stronger than the spring S8. v v

To adjust the shoes, I have provided for each shoe the eccentric di which is carried by the i shield and bane-'unit s2 and is ensageabie with bers are held against they intermediate brake f member and the main brake' mechanism isA ap plied. When the links swing from their normal jaxial positions the end parts o1' the end portions `fulcru'm upon the brake members and cooperate gto eilect therelative movement or the brake members, the end parts being arranged in. pairs lojcated generally diagonally of the intermediate portions `of the links. Upon relative rotation or the axial flange al at the inboard side of the shoe. The baille d3 resiliently engages the eccentric to hold the same in its position of rotative adjustment. The diaphragm te is in the nature of vhose or tubingand has a generally elliptical cross section with flat radially inner and outer sides. The ends of the diaphragm are secured to ,thev iittint S4 which is mounted on the chord portion 45 o! the axial iiange l2 of the carrier plate.

1 has at each end the generally elliptically cross- Y sectioned nipple 46 for extending into an end of the lbrake members in one direction one pair of y end parts cooperate and upon relative rotation of the brake members in -the other direction the other pair of end parts cooperate. The width and the length of each link (width of approximately gone-half thelength. as illustrated) limitsrthe angular rangethrough which eachllink swings during the application ofthe brake'so that the lines connecting the cooperating end'pcrts areinclined lat allt'imes to-theaxes ,of the `brake members.

inboard brake' member is caused to move from its normal onoi! position by thel pilot 'brake w mechanism I- whichcomprises the'drum 3iv p-,the vbrake friction means or element l2., The

channel shape having lugs or ears on its side l tion, it will be noted, forms a space for receiving the diaphragm and a correspondingly cross sectioned ferrule 4l secures the en'd of the diaphragm to the nipple. For cooperating with the portion of the diaphragm between the ends of the shoes oppositethe fitting 44, there is the cover 48 of flanges extending over the radially inner side of the chord portion 49 of the axial flange of 'the carrier plate. The cover with the chord porthe intermediate portion of the diaphragm,

To operate the pilot brake mechanically, inner and outer channel-shaped pushers 50 and il, respectively, are operatively connected to the ends of the shoes opposite the diaphragm iltting 44.

"The pushersfare nested and so. located with 4respect to the diaphragm cover 48 that sumcient The fittingv tween the bases o1' the inner pusher and the cover.

The lever is pivoted to the cover by th rivet 53' fixed to the base of the cover and extending ythrough slots in the bases of the pushers. 'Ihe lever extends through openings in the side walls of the Apushers and abuts the ends` of certain of the openings formed in the side walls of the pushers to longitudinally move the same'in opposite directions. More particularly and with reference to Figure 6, the construction is such that when the lever is swung from'the position shown in full lines to\the position shown in dotted lines the pushers will be relatively moved longitudinally to separate the ends' of the shoes and apply the pilot brake mechanism. The lever also brake members 58, 80 and 5I, respectively. The non-rotatable brake members 5l and 58 are metal discs axially slidably mounted onthe carrier plate 82 in the same manner as the disc 3 on the carrier plate 8. The discs `have. secured to their opposite sides near their outer peripheries brake linings for engaging the rotatable brake members. The rotatable outboard lbrake member El has the radial Ibolting0n portion 63, the radial disc portion lil, and the annular portion 65 extending axially in an inboard direction from the periphery of the disc portion. The free edge of the annular portion is vprovided with axial slots extends through an elongated opening in the combined baille and shield unit and this opening is closed by the closure 54 located vbetween the baille and shield and sleeved upon thelever.`

To hold the pushers in their retracted positions, there is the wire spring 55 having ends for engaging holes in opposite ends of the pushers.

For the purpose of making the brake more.

effective, the disc portions I4 and 22`of the rotatable .|brake members are formed with the spiral grooves I4 `and 22', respectively, facing the linings'of the non-rotatable brake members and :providing spiral lands preferably having square corners, the lands being engageable with the linings. and the parts to beA in the positions indicated in the drawings, the main brake mechanism] is applied by the pilot brake'mechanism 2, which latter is applied by expanding the diaphragm 35 by fluid under pressure, orby swinging the lever 52 to the positionshown in dotted lines in Figure 6, by vmeans of which the linings 34 of the shoes 33 are moved against the internal friction face of the drum 3|, 'The shoes are held from peripheral movement with the drum by the anchors 36 which are resiliently held in their ra-y dially inward positions by the springs 40 and which serve with the springs 38 to resiliently' hold the shoes in retracted' positions. The application of the shoes to the drum retards the rotation of the drum and, consequently, applies the main brake mechanism by retarding the ro tation of the irl-board brake member 5 relative to the outboard brake member 4 of the main brake mechanism. As a result, the actuating' brake nflechanism 2 are returned to normal orof! positions by the springs 40 and 3 8 and the anchors 36, after which the rotatable brake parts of the main brake mechanism I are returned to normal or oi positions by the resilient annulus 2i and the links 20, suilicient clearance between the rotatable brake members being provided for the non-rotatable brake member. l

The brake of Figure 9 is of the same general construction as the brake of Figures 1 to 8, in

elusive, but diners in the specic construction or the main brake mechanism 55. The latter com- .prises` the non-rotatable outboard and in'board brake members 51 and 58,'respectively, and the rotatable outboard intermediate and inboard rfor receiving radial lingers at the radially outer edge of the intermediate brake member 60. This intermediate brake member is a, disc located be- .tween the non-rotatable brake members ,and

member. has the radial disc portion 66 for en- 'l gagement with the non-rotatable inboard brake member. The rotatable inboard brake member is carried by the rotatable outboard brake member in the same manner as in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, by means v o1' the angularly spaced channel-shaped links 61 Assuming the wheelto be rotating cooling, a brake having the well-known characteristics of self-energy so constructed that the seit-energizing factorsprincipally of the main brake mechanism are not changed through deformation; a brake in which the diaphragm for actuating the pilot brake mechanism is remotely positioned from the main brake mechanism so that the diaphragm is subject to only a very small portion of the heat generated by the main braise mechanism; and `a brake which is mounted in dependently of the wheel so that the latter may Ibe removed without disturbing the brake.

What I claim as my invention is: 1.` In a lbrake, rotatable brake membersmovable axially relativev to each other, and means for moving said members axially relative to each other and also mounting one yof said members relative to the other, comprising operating links extending between and connecting said membersand an annular member encircling said members and supporting said operating links.

2. In a brake, brake members normally ro,

tatable one. with the other,'angularly spaced having cams engageable with the adjacent' abutments oi said ring.

4. In a brake, rotatable brake members'movable axially relative to each other, actuating links connecting said brake members for relatively moving the same axially toward each other upon asvasaa relative rotation thereof, and an annular member encircling said actuating links and said brake members andvolzneratively connected to the latter.

" said annular 'member retaining' said; operating links, forming aV seal and normally holding said brake member/s away from each other.

i5.- In a brake. a brake disc normally held from `rotation, rotatable brake'discs on opposite sides of said ilrst mentioned disc and engageable therewith, and operating links extending over said first mentioned disc and operatively connected to said second mentioned discs for relatively moving all of said discs axially toward each other upon rotation of one of said rotatable discs at a diilerent rate than the other of said rotatable discs.

6. In a brake, rotatable brake discs movable posltely facing shoulders,

'relative to each other and provided with opposhoulders on their peripheriea and brake members axially rell ative to each other comprisingl angularly spaced sitely facing means for moving said resilient linksextending between said brake members and having generally radially extending end portions embracing said shoulders.

13.In a brake, a main brake mechanism comprising brake members normally rotatable one axially relative w each other; one of said dises being operatively connected to a drum having an internal friction face. brake friction; means engageable with the internal friction face to retard said drum and said disc operatively connected to said drum, a diaphram for radially moving said brake friction means against the internal lfrictionlace, and means dependent upon retardation of said disc operatively connected to said drum for relatively moving the same axiallyjtoward theother disc.

with the other, intermediate brakeV means normally held from rotation and engageable with said first mentioned brake members, and links extending between and operatively connected to said brake members and having portions extending `cured to one of over said brake means radially outwardly thereof.

. said links being operable upon retardation of one of said brake members to relatively 'move said brake members and brake means toward and intol engagement with each other, and a pilot brake mechanism comprising a pilot brakevmember sesaid nrs't mentionedl brake members vat its radially inner edgeand rotatable therewith, friction means normally held from ro- 7. In a brake, a main brake mechanism comprising brake disc means normally held from rotation, cooperating brake disc means comprising external brake discs normally rotatable one with the. other and having annular surfaces frictionlally'engageable withy said ilrst mentioned brake disc means, and means dependent upon retardation of one of said external lbrake discs fo'r rela- 'tivelymoving said external brake discs and nrst mentioned brake disc means axially to bring the same into engagement, and a pilot brake mechanism for retarding one of said external brake ilrst mentioned discs,

discs', said pilot brake mechanism -being substantially radially within said annular surface of said last mentioned external brake disc. s 8,. In a able axially relative to each other, meansior moving said members axially relative to each other and also mounting one of said members on the other comprising operating links extending between and operatively connected to said members, and means for retaining said links comprising an annular member positioned by one oi 1 said members and encircling and engaging portions of said links.

l 9. In a brake.' a rotatable brake member` hav-v ing an internal friction face. brake-friction means lengageable with the internal friction face comprising a brake shoe havingl substantially radial ishoulders, a plate having an axially extending ilange formed with substantially radial shoulders, `a, 'channel-shaped anchor for said shoe opening radlally outwardly with ltsbase radially inside said flange and its side flanges extending past said Ailange and engageable with-said shoulders lof said shoe and flange; andan actuator extending within said shoe.-

-'l0. `In a' brake, brake members movable axially lrelative to each other and means for relatively axially moving said brake members comprising angularly spaced resillentiinks extending between 1and operatively connected to said brake membrake, rotatable brake members moveach other, and

tation and engageable with said pilot brake member, and means for moving said friction lmeans into engagement with said pilotbrake member.

14. In a brake, a .main brake mechanism comprising brake discs normally rotatable one with the other, intermediate brake disc means normally held from rotation andengageable with said and links extending between and operativelyconnected tosaid ilrst mentioned discs and having portions extending over said intermediate Adisc means radially outwardly thereof, said links being operable upon retardation of i one of said first mentioned/xdiscs to relatively move saiilrst mentioned discs and intermediate disc means toward and into engagement with Y a pilot brake mechanism comprising a pilot brake first mentioned discs at its radially inner edge andI rotatable therewith, friction means normally held from rotation and engageable with said-pilot brake drum, and means means into engagement with said pilot l5. In abrake. rotatable brake' members movable axially 'relative to each other,` means -moving said `snembers axially relative to each other comprising operating links extending` between and operatively connected to said members,

, and means for retaining said'links comprising an annular member positioned by one of said members and encircling and engaging portions of said relative rotation of said links.

16. ma brake, i brake members rotatable in either direction and movable axially toward and away from each other and means operable upon brake members in either direction for relatively moving said brake members toward each other comprising rlinks acting under tension and extending. between and swingable by said brake, members, each link having a portion normally extending generally axially ot said brake members and other portions extending being bowed intermediate their drum secured to one of saidfor moving said friction.

brak`e for asvasae generally radially of said brake members and e11-` gageable with oppositely facing portionsV of said brake men'bers, each oi' said generally radial portions having parts at opposite sides o! the longitudinal median plane of said- 'link with the parts located generally diagonally of said generally .,'axial portion cooperating to eilfect therelative movement'of said brake members toward each otherfthe'lines connecting the cooperating parts being inclined at all times to the axes ofy said brake members. A

i7. Ina brake, brake members rotatable in;

either direction and movable axially toward and away from each other, and meansopcrable upon v'relative rotation of said brake members in eitheri direction for relatively moving said brake members toward each other comprising links acting under tension, each link having four partsA for contact ,with said brake members with two parts cooperating upon relative rotation in one direction andthe other two parts cooperating upon relative rotation in the other direction to eilect i the relative movement of said brake members toward each other, the lines ccnnectingsaid cooperating parts being inclined at all times tow the axes of,- said brake members. a

18. na brake, brake members rotatable in j either direction and movable axially toward and away from each other, and means operable-upon relativerotation o! said brake membersin either direction for relatively moving said brake mem- I' bers toward each other comprising links acting undertension, each link having at one endl two e partsior contact with one of said brake mem` 'bers and at the other end a portion for contact with the other of said brake members, said portion cooperating with' one of said parts upon relative rotation in one direction and with the other of said parts in the other direction to effect the relative movement of said brake members toward each-other, the lines connecting the portion and parte being inclined ae en said 'brake members. f Y t 19. In a brake, brake members relatively mov-` 'able axially toward and away from each other and also relatively rotatable lin opposite directions with respect to each other, means optlmes to the axes o! v axis oi"l the' brake.

ing cooperating partsfor relatively moving saidl v brake members toward each other in either direction of relative rotation oi' said brake members, the lines connecting said cooperating parts being inclined at all times to the axis of the brake. I

20. In a brake, brake members relatively movable axially toward andI away Vfrom .each othen. 'one of said brake members being rotatable in opposite directions, and means i'or relatively moving said brake members'toward eachv other 'in either direction oi' rotation of saidrotatable brake member comprising links acting under ten# sio'n, each link having a portion extending generally axially of the brake and other portions extending generally radially ofthe brake, said generally radial portions 'having cooperating parts for relatively moving said brake members toward` each other in either direction of rotation of said` rotatable brake member, the lines connecting said cooperating parts being inclined at all times to the axis of said brake.

2l. In a brake, brake members relatively movable axially toward and away from eachother,

one of said brake members being rotatable in opposite directions, and means for relatively moving said brake members toward each other in either direction oi' rotation of said rotatable brake member comprising links acting under tem sion, each link having a portion extending generally axially of the brake and other portions extending transversely of said generally axial portion, said first mentioned portion and other portions` having cooperating parts for relatively moving said brake members toward each other in either direction of rotation oi saidv rotatable brake member, the lines connecting said co operating parts being inclined at all times tc the .roHN sNnED. I 

